Improved head-block for lasts



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES F. POLLARD, OF LYNN, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVED HEAD-BLOCK FOR LASTS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 37,179, dated December 16, 1862.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHAR-Lns F. POLLARD, of Lynn, in the county of Essex and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Head-Blocks for Holding the Lastin Bottoming Shoes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawings, making a part of this specification, in which- Figure l is a perspective view; Fig. 2, an outline sketch of a transverse section, like parts being indicated by the same letters in both drawings.

To enable others skilled in the art to make and use my improvement, I will now describe its construction and operation.

The nature of my improvement consists in the peculiar arrangement of devices, as hereinafter described, for holding the last and chan ging its position.

A is an upright standard with a fiangebottom, by which it is made fast to the bench on which it stands.

a is a gain in the upper end of standard A.

B, Fig. 2, is a circular plate with an elongated semicircular flange, C, with a notched edge crossing it through its center at right angles with its top surface. The fiange C is hung in the gain a upon the pin b,which passes through the standard A and iiange C at a point which forms the center of a circle of which the notched edge of flange G forms a part, the iiange being allowed to swing on the pin b through the gain a.

D is a wedge with a notch, o, in its upper side. This wedge is passed through standard A at right angles with the gain a, the bottom of the notch c being just below the edge of flange C.

d is an open spiral spring upon the front end of wedge D, outside of standard A. Its action is upon the wedge, bringing it into the notches of ange C, and holding it fast in the required position.

E is a plate of the required form and size, fitted upon plate B, Fig. 2, upon which it revolves.

f, Fig. 1, and dotted line f, Fig. 2, are bars cast upon the top of plate E on opposite sides of and parallel to and at equal distance from an imaginary line drawn through its center.

These bars are beveled under on their insides, thereby forming a dovetailed groove on the top of the plate.

g g are ears with circular tops cast upon plate E between the bars ff, with a space between them.

F is a washer with a beveled edge iitted into the center of plate E on the upper side.

e e are screws passing through the washer F into the circular plate B, Fig. 2, holding plate E upon plate B, allowing plate E to revolve, and giving the required friction.

H is a lever hung in the space between the ears g g on the pin h, the short arm extending upward to the required height, having a steel pin, i, inserted in its upper end, the long arm extending across plate E lengthwise between the bars ff.

I is a movable inclined plane made hollow, and fitted to slide snugly in the groove formed by the bars f j' on the top of plate E, passing over the long arm of lever H. The sides of this inclined plane extend above its top surface, and are beveled under on their insides, as represented by k k, Fig. l, forming a groove similar to that on the top of plate E.

m is a notched bar running len gthwise across the` top surface of inclined plane I.

n is a curved spring attached to the front end of the inclined plane, acting upon the long arm of lever H.

s is a screw passing through plate E from its under side into notches cut in the lower edge of inclined plane I, thereby securing it in its proper position.

K is a sliding toe-piece tted to slide in the groove la k on the top of inclined plane I. This toe-piece has a gain through its lower end to allow it to pass over the notched bar m and receive a catch, p, which is hung by the pin o, and drops into the notched bar m, thus holding the toe-piece in the required position.

To use my head-block the following directions should be observed: It should be firmly fastened down with the projecting end of the wedge, on which is the spiral spring in front. The required length to receive the last L is obtained by adjusting the inclined plane I and sliding toe-piece K. The last should have a hole bored in its upper side near the heel of the proper size to t the steel pin i, and at such an angle as that when placed upon the pinv the toe of the last will fall a little below the top and at the side of toe piece K. 'lhe last is thrown upon the toe-piece by lifting its toe and swinging it round. The curved spring fn, pressing upon the long arm of lever H, holds it firm. A sidewise motion and inclined position are obtained by forcing back the Wedge D until the notch c will allow the edge of flange C to pass through it, the spiral spring d acting upon the wedge, forcing it into the notches as they pass, thus securing it in the required position. Arota-ry motion is obtained by plate E revolving on plate B, Fig. 2.

This head-block is simple in structure, costs less to make, is more quickly and easilyadjusted, is durable, and more elcient than any other with which I am acquainted Where the same or similar results are obtained.

l Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The plates B E F, notched flange G,With the Wedge D, spiral spring d, and pin b, when combined and arranged to operate in the manner and for the kpurpose specified.

2. The sliding toe-rest K, pivoted catch p, in combination With the inclined plane I, notched bar or rack m, curved spring fn, and pivoted lever H, when arranged to operate iu the manner and for the purpose specified.

CEAS. F. POLLARD. Witnesses:

DEAN PEABODY, BENJ. SPRAGUE. 

